Lopez Island Senior Center

Almost 100 years ago, November 14, 1898 to be exact, Lopez Camp #5857 was founded as a local chapter of Modern Woodmen of America (MWA). Modern Woodmen of America was founded January 5, 1883, as a fraternal life insurance society that would “clear away financial problems and bring much good to members and their widows and orphans.” Seeing an analogy between the society and the land-clearing work of pioneer woodmen, the founder chose the name modern Woodmen, adding “of America” as a patriotic touch. (Ref. 1)

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Modern Woodmen was organized into camps, local lodges to which all members belonged. By 1890 membership had grown to 50,000 nationally, with more than 12,000 camps. These camps often became the social centers of their communities fulfilling members’ needs for fellowship. The ritualism of Modern Woodmen meetings, as with other fraternal organizations of the era, was immensely popular. (Ref. 1) Ceremonial axes were used as props, for example. (Ref. 2)

 

Members paid monthly dues into a mortality fund, and payments from that fund were made to the families of members who died. The payment of monthly dues was discontinued in 1929 in favor of scheduled premium rates keyed to the age and health of each member.

 

The San Juan Islander newspaper reported on August 30, 1900, page 3: “Lopez Camp No. 5857, M.W.A. has decided to build its hall at the head of Fisherman Bay, Mr. Orcutt having one-half acre for the hall site. The lumber is now being rapidly cut at the Groll mill.” [Groll Mill was located on the Fisherman Bay shoreline just below Dick & Jean Plummer’s small white house with bright blue gable ends just south of the Galley. The M.W.A. Hall is currently the Lopez Legion Hall.] J.C. Warner was deputy head council with 11 charter members. Many dances, entertainments and even church services were held in the M.W.A. Hall. (Ref. 1)

 

During the Great Depression, many members could no longer pay dues into the “mortality fund”. (Ref. 2) The Lopez Camp dissolved October 19, 1944, with 6 members. The Hall was owned by the Lopez Commercial Club for the next few years. (Ref. 1) The Lopez Commercial Club was a booster club that was later disbanded.

 

Since World War II, American Legion Hoey-Kjargaard Post No. 185 owned, administered and maintained the old Lopez Island Modern Woodmen of America Hall for its own meetings and for various community uses. It was named after two island men, Alan Hoey and Harold Kjargaard, who were killed in action. Post 185 was the local chapter of the national, non-profit veteran’s organization that provided assistance to needy members and their dependents and promoted social benevolent or patriotic enterprises approved by the American Legion. It was shared by the Legion and the Legion Auxiliary. (Ref. 3)

 

A shed wing, housing a stage and restrooms was added to the west side of the hall in the 1920s. A one-story addition or annex, housing a modern kitchen and dining space, was constructed at the north side of the hall in 1975. (Ref. 3) The hall was one of the largest public meeting places on Lopez Island at the time.

 

In 2000 and with the assistance of the Lopez Island Historical Society, Post No.185 was awarded a Preservation Services Fund grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The grant funding was directed towards the preparation of the “Master Plan & Preservation Feasibility Study”. That study was intended “to provide preservation, rehabilitation and restoration guidance for future work on the building.” The Lopez branch of the nonprofit, Senior Services Council of San Juan County, Inc. purchased Woodmen Hall and the property it now occupies for $1.00 in 2003. (Ref. 3)

 

The present building is a two-story with a gable roof. The original building measured 32’ x 60’. A one-story west wing addition with a shed roof measured 20’ x 60’. A one-story kitchen on the north side measured approximately 20’ x 40‘.  The interior consists of a main meeting room with a stage, backstage area, restrooms with a kitchen and dining hall. The upper floor is accessed by a stairway at the south end of the building. (Ref. 3)

 

An independent non-profit, Friends of Woodmen Hall raises funds to help maintain and upgrade the building. As of 2019, they have been remodeling the second story to create permanent historical displays to tell the story of the building.